Leigh Griffiths is facing a police investigation and a heavy fine from
Hibernian after an alleged racist comment posted on Twitter.

Griffiths, who is on loan at Easter Road from Wolverhampton Wanderers, will be punished after making the remark late on Thursday night, with Hibernian admitting his behaviour was “totally unacceptable”.

And Edinburgh police have also revealed that the Scotland international forward, who has nearly 13,000 followers on the social networking site, is to be investigated for the tweet.

The comment attributed to Griffiths, sent to user @zak_iqbal after an angry online exchange, read: “f--- off back to your own country ya clown” and was later removed.

Griffiths was responding to a tweet from a Twitter user believed to be based in Livingston, West Lothian.

The user, Zak Iqbal, had earlier sent a tweet to Griffiths. It said: “Thumb boy why do you make fun of other peoples looks when you are the worst out the lot?”

Griffiths later insisted he was not a racist, posting: “Got to apologise to @zak_iqbal for my comment earlier, was out of order!”

And on Friday morning, he also wrote: “I’m not a racist! Yes what I said was out of order! People going to give it a rest now? Jesus Christ.”

Iqbal responded by saying: “I don’t really get offended about stuff like that anyway because to me at the end of the day its all banter.”

But despite Griffiths’s apology. the 22 year-old will be disciplined by Hibernian and could also face action from the Scottish Football Association, while Lothian and Borders Police are also investigating.

Griffiths’s loan spell with Hibernian was scheduled to finish after the game against Dundee on Jan 19 but Wolves are understood to have recommended that he remains with Pat Fenlon’s team. Fenlon is keen to retain Griffiths for the remainder of the season regardless of the incident after the forward scored 14 goals this term.

However, a club spokesman has confirmed that Hibs would be taking action against the former Livingston and Dundee forward.

He said: “Hibernian FC today confirmed that it had spoken to player Leigh Griffiths about exchanges on a social media website.

“The player had realised that despite the provocation, the language he used was totally unacceptable and had already apologised for what he said. The player has closed access to the account.

“The player supports the club and the whole of Scottish football in its stance against racism, bigotry and anti-social behaviour.

“The player will be subject to a disciplinary process which will be a private matter between the club and the player.”

Griffiths joined Wolves for £150,000 from Dundee in January 2011 but he has made just one appearance for the club. His contract expires at the end of the season and this incident is certain to spell the end of his difficult spell at Molineux, even though Wolves have the option of extending his deal for a further year.

Wolves said in a statement: “Wolves are aware of an alleged racist comment made on Twitter last night by Leigh Griffiths.

“The club condemns such comments in the strongest possible terms and are extremely angry and disappointed.

“The player is currently on loan at Hibernian FC and is likely to remain there for the rest of the season.

“He is, therefore, subject to the disciplinary procedures of Hibernian FC and those of the SFA.

“However, Wolves are in dialogue with Hibernian and are making their feelings known on the matter.”

Lothian and Borders Police have also said they have carried out early enquiries after they were made aware of Griffiths’ alleged comments.

A spokesman said: “We have been made aware of this matter, and we are carrying out initial enquiries.”